Little bugs in the database

[druellan]

Loony Bin
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=16874
(Tim Gilberts has just discovered it in the "Gilsoft archive" )

I'm roaming old entries
Has anyone recovered this? I can see Tim has a copy in his bag of wonders: https://twitter.com/timbucus/status/1086686871621697536

[8BitAG]

Has anyone recovered this? I can see Tim has a copy in his bag of wonders: https://twitter.com/timbucus/status/1086686871621697536

Tim has a load of MIA and unarchived stuff. But he's also really busy!

[druellan]

The programming credits for Gyron (the "compilstion") are missing. They should be:
Ricardo Pinto, Dominic Prior, Philip Machan, Mark Whigton (all Torus)
https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-use ... 7/mode/1up

That article is quite interesting, I think that can be added to the RIcardo Pinto and Dominic Prior's ZXDB profile as an interview.
[mention]Einar Saukas[/mention] [mention]R-Tape[/mention] what do you think?

[druellan]

Has anyone recovered this? I can see Tim has a copy in his bag of wonders: https://twitter.com/timbucus/status/1086686871621697536

Tim has a load of MIA and unarchived stuff. But he's also really busy!

Oh, ok, we'll keep an eye to see if he manages to recover something, in the meantime we can drool over that photo

[8BitAG]

Oh, ok, we'll keep an eye to see if he manages to recover something, in the meantime we can drool over that photo

As you've spotted on Twitter, judging by your recent like, there is also the uMIA game 'The Rubber Maze' in that collection (which has the already archived 'The Semi-Detached at the End of the Street' on the B-Side https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=15138

[druellan]

Oh, ok, we'll keep an eye to see if he manages to recover something, in the meantime we can drool over that photo

As you've spotted on Twitter, judging by your recent like, there is also the uMIA game 'The Rubber Maze' in that collection (which has the already archived 'The Semi-Detached at the End of the Street' on the B-Side https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=15138

Yes! Confirmed and just finished adding everything to the database. The only odd thing I've found is a company named "Simplesoft" (no spaces) from the Netherlands and owned by Bert Vierstra (https://zxinfo.dk/search/bert%20vierstra?listtype=grid), but I don't think is the same company.

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

The Cholo PDF instructions are actually for the BBC Micro.

Confirmed!
[mention]R-Tape[/mention] Seems that cholo.pdf and cholo_Instructions.pdf are the same document, and you can read "Cholo for the BBC Micro" and the BBC Micro loading instructions at the beginning.

The instructions on Cholo.zip are multisystem for "BBC B, Commodore 64/128, Spectrum 48/128 and Amstrad CPC".
THe keyboard on Cholo_KeyGuide.txt is titled "Spectrum Cholo Key Guide", so, it is the correct one.

So, we can pretty much remove the BBC instructions at this point, but perhaps we can retitle one of them (and remove the copy) to make clear the system?

[Juan F. Ramirez]

The Cholo PDF instructions are actually for the BBC Micro.

Confirmed!
@R-Tape Seems that cholo.pdf and cholo_Instructions.pdf are the same document, and you can read "Cholo for the BBC Micro" and the BBC Micro loading instructions at the beginning.

The instructions on Cholo.zip are multisystem for "BBC B, Commodore 64/128, Spectrum 48/128 and Amstrad CPC".
THe keyboard on Cholo_KeyGuide.txt is titled "Spectrum Cholo Key Guide", so, it is the correct one.

So, we can pretty much remove the BBC instructions at this point, but perhaps we can retitle one of them (and remove the copy) to make clear the system?

In @mort 's archive.org site there's the complete scanned instructions for the spectrum plus the novella, key guide and even a map.

[druellan]

In @mort 's archive.org site there's the complete scanned instructions for the spectrum plus the novella, key guide and even a map.

Yeah, I was taking a look at Archive.org. It is the same information we already have, but in a better format, including covers. Since the manual is multisystem, we can pretty much link this one, even when it is tagged as Commodore 64: https://archive.org/details/c64man_cholo

[druellan]

I've just been looking at Microsphere's games and David Reidy is only credited on the Skool games, Contact Sam Cruise and a book, but didn't he program all their stuff, Wheelie and Skyranger and so on? Actually none of the other releases have author credits as far as I can see (unless I'm doing it wrong).

I was investigating this a bit. The information out there is pretty confusing.

The website Spong (https://spong.com/people/8727/David-S-Reidy) states:

David S Reidy's first video game work that SPOnG is aware of is the 1983 title, "Wheelie" (Spectrum 48K) as Lead Artist.

Full credits on that site:

Lead Programmer: David S Reidy
Lead Artist: David S Reidy
Packaging/Manual Design: Keith Warrington

I don't think this is a reliable source of information, but Reidy as the main artist makes sense, since Keith Warrington was not involved in graphics until Skool Daze.

I also found an Hungarian magazine: http://sinclair.hu/kiadvany_download.ph ... Zci2U9NpZm
The translation reads: "David Reidy says, "Wheelie broke very slowly, but we sold it for more than 12 months, which is remarkable." The games were still made in the simple roles already outlined, and the graphics of Wheelie were entirely David's work, but he was waving an ambitious plan that he could no longer have as a sow graphic. Well, I had a really knowledgeable man who could have had a choice, like Keith, who had been working for them for a long time."

That seems to be part of the Sinclair User #36 article: https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-036 , but I can't find that part!

PD: don't let me start about the Computer History page (http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/3791/Wheelie/) that has an "E J Estcourt" as the author, which sounds very similar to "M J Estcourt", author of Deathchase and Full Throttle.

✓ Reviewed

[StooB]

I also found an Hungarian magazine: http://sinclair.hu/kiadvany_download.ph ... Zci2U9NpZm
The translation reads: "David Reidy says, "Wheelie broke very slowly, but we sold it for more than 12 months, which is remarkable." The games were still made in the simple roles already outlined, and the graphics of Wheelie were entirely David's work, but he was waving an ambitious plan that he could no longer have as a sow graphic. Well, I had a really knowledgeable man who could have had a choice, like Keith, who had been working for them for a long time."

That seems to be part of the Sinclair User #36 article: https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-036 , but I can't find that part!

Sounds more like Retro Gamer #17:

"The graphics in everything up to Wheelie were Dave’s own work (“as you can probably tell”), but it was clear that the ambitious plans for building a complete school on the Spectrum meant getting a proper artist in. Luckily, he had one handy – Keith Warrington, who’d already illustrated the ads and packaging for all of Microsphere’s games since Crevasse/Hotfoot."

I've just been looking at Microsphere's games and David Reidy is only credited on the Skool games, Contact Sam Cruise and a book, but didn't he program all their stuff, Wheelie and Skyranger and so on? Actually none of the other releases have author credits as far as I can see (unless I'm doing it wrong).

The same Retro Gamer suggests Sky Ranger was his too:

"Microsphere’s only misfire. Sky Ranger made an ambitious and largely successful stab at proper 3D. But Dave – like other coders who spent too much time fiddling around with show-off graphics routines on underpowered home micros – forgot to put a decent game in."

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

Thanks [mention]StooB[/mention] I think we can conclude the code & graphics was Reidy's, there is little room to speculate otherwise.

✓ Reviewed

[druellan]

Italia '90
Loading screen has (C) 1989 on it, but there are no magazine references until April 1990 so the year of release should be 1990.
The 1990 release by "Virgin Mastertronic" can be removed - Virgin Mastertronic own Virgin Games at this time.

Hi StooB.
I'm trying to reach a consensus about what to do on cases like this one.
Here we have Virgin Games and Virgin Mastetronic, both are the same company. The inlay has Virgin Games logo, but on the back it says "copyright Virgin Mastetronic"



So, I think the idea is to honor the label chosen by the core company to represent the game publication?
[mention]Einar Saukas[/mention] is that correct?

[StooB]

The Magnum lightgun games are the only ones specifically on the "Virgin Mastertronic" label:

[8BitAG]

The games...

Lost in the Desert
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=9914

and

Crash
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=15920

are actually the *same* game.

The game was billed as 'Lost in the Desert' when it appear on The Guild's Quill Thrill Volume 1 compilation, so 'Lost in the Desert' seems the best title to list it under.

Quill Thrill Vol 1
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=13168

I hope to discover the name of the author at some point.

An update on this one... as I've just been on this entry having seen it being played in the 'text adventure attempt thread'.

We've actually got a second game here with the same title!

The 'white text on blue' game Lost in the Desert (also referred previously to as Crash) *is* as I said The Guild game 'Lost in the Desert' from the Quill Thrill compilation...





This is the game detailed here https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=9914
and listed in the TZX https://archive.org/download/World_of_S ... rt.tzx.zip
and all the associated compilations such as Quill Thrill and the Adventure Probe offer tape.

There is nothing wrong with that entry.

BUT there is also a Z80 snapshot on that page is a completely different game with the same name!

It's blue on white. Is also called 'Lost in the Desert'. But is not the game that was sold by The Guild.



It seems to have been incorrectly linked to the other game back in the WOS days!

So... the Z80 file, is a separate/different game and needs its own game page.

https://archive.org/download/World_of_S ... rt.z80.zip

I will do some research to see if I can track down any information about this "new" title!

[8BitAG]

So... the Z80 file, is a separate/different game and needs its own game page.

https://archive.org/download/World_of_S ... rt.z80.zip

I will do some research to see if I can track down any information about this "new" title!

Aha! It's the Walter Pooley game 'The Pyramid'

which we already have an entry for...

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=10901

...so it just needs an "also known as" 'Lost in the Desert' on that page.

And the Z80 file removing from the Lost in the Desert page.

✓ Reviewed

[PeterJ]

The text adventure...

Alicia en el Pais de las Maravillas https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=5942

is listed as an adventure game: text only rather than Adventure Game: Text/Illustrated


Wamwort https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 96&id=7172

is listed as being produced with the PAWs...

...Looking at the game, it was not produced using the PAWs.

[mention]8BitAG[/mention] - Can I just double check that you believe that this was just a BASIC program, and not created with any adventure system? Cheers.

[8BitAG]

Can I just double check that you believe that this was just a BASIC program, and not created with any adventure system? Cheers.

I don't believe it was just a BASIC program; although a chunk of it is in BASIC. (You can break into it and take a look). However, it was not created with the PAW.

[StooB]

IJK Software (6058) is not from or owned by the BBC (1484).

UK Software (14896), owner of Strobe (14006) should be IJK Software (6058).

@StooB I find it fascinating that these little bugs have been sitting there for close on 20 years and they are now being found. Great stuff!

Still not fixed 20 months later either!

✓ Reviewed

[PeterJ]

[mention]druellan[/mention] is working through the various bug threads as quickly as possible, and [mention]Einar Saukas[/mention] and I help when we can. At least it's not nine years

It is longer than I would hope, but real life and work will always trump hobbies (unless you are very lucky), and we do the best we can we the time we have. You just have to be patient I'm afraid. Comments like the above don't improve motivation though after a long day at work and a tour of the M25 in the rain.

[Einar Saukas]

IJK Software (6058) is not from or owned by the BBC (1484).

UK Software (14896), owner of Strobe (14006) should be IJK Software (6058).

This item is currently on hold pending further investigation...

We know IJK Software was a small company created and owned by John S. Sinclair (main programmer), Keith Sinclair (his father), and Ian Sinclair (his uncle). It was described by Sinclair User as "a top BBC software house" that primarily created games for BBC Micro and later Oric. Considering that it stopped directly publishing games in 1985, does it mean it was sold in 1985, perhaps to BBC? It would explain the reason old WoS marked that BBC was the "last owner".

Also according to old WoS archive, Strobe was "derived from" UK Software. If UK Software is just a mispelling of IJK Software, does it mean IJK Software was sold in 1985, then the previous owners of IJK created Strobe instead? If that's the case, then ZXDB must be updated to indicate that Strobe was derived from IJK Software, instead of owned.

[StooB]

Also according to old WoS archive, Strobe was "derived from" UK Software. If UK Software is just a mispelling of IJK Software, does it mean IJK Software was sold in 1985, then the previous owners of IJK created Strobe instead? If that's the case, then ZXDB must be updated to indicate that Strobe was derived from IJK Software, instead of owned.

No, Strobe was owned by I J K.

Crimebusters Inc was released on the Strobe label:


but it was I J K who responded to the piracy claims:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.ph ... 933&page=6


There's no evidence anywhere that the BBC bought I J K or Strobe - it seems that somebody interpreted them being a "BBC software house" as "owned by the BBC", rather than a software house who mainly sold BBC titles. If anyone bought I J K then it was Tynesoft as they released a number of previously unreleased games with I J K on the loading screen in 1986 and 1987.

✓ Reviewed

[Einar Saukas]

OK, that's a good theory. Except I don't think Tynesoft bought IJK because there's no evidence, also I remember reading somewhere that games published by Tynesoft explicitly said they were licensed from IJK, thus suggesting these are separate companies.

I will update this information in the next ZXDB release.

✓ Reviewed

[8BitAG]

Here's a reference to IJK being an active concern in 1987... coincidentally next to a Tynesoft review.
https://archive.org/details/AcornUser05 ... page/n139/

[StooB]

Considering that it stopped directly publishing games in 1985, does it mean it was sold in 1985, perhaps to BBC? It would explain the reason old WoS marked that BBC was the "last owner".

Found some confirmation from this interview with John Sinclair. I J K wasn't sold to anyone but "eventually withered and died". They then started a company caled Duplidata who did the duplication for Ocean and BT.

Duplidata was dissolved in 1999, but its successor, Techpoint is still going in Blackpool and still has a Sinclair in charge. John Sinclair is running a company called Tetra Systems in Scotland.